Operations Apprentice Review

Operations Apprentice working on the assembly, integration and testing of missiles and missile sub-systems.

In work I work towards achieving a level 3 NVQ, whilst I also currently go to college one day a week to achieve a HNC in electrical/electronic engineering. All apprentices also take part in two life skills courses hosted off-site in wales, which works on, among others, your personal development, team building and presenting skills.

I enjoy the program to a large extent, in part because of the positive spirit of the workforce and the company culture that goes with that attitude, and also because of the wide array of jobs you are trained up on, most of which are then made available to you to come out your time on once you finish your apprenticeship.

While at MBDA I have had numerous opportunities to represent the company and apprenticeships outside of work, i.e, career events, school fairs etc.

The structure of the apprenticeship is well organised, allowing you to work on numerous projects at 3 month intervals, working on different aspects of each project (i.e test, assembly, inspection etc.) within those three months.

Alliance Learning, who are our training provider for the NVQ we work towards, carry out regular reviews with us to make sure that all apprentices are on track and are always available to answer any inquires we may have.

Within the work environment I receive a lot of support from the employee who I'm working with, the manager of the section etc.

As an apprentice your pay rises every year, subject to a yearly performance review, at intervals of roughly £4'000 a year. E.g 1st Year: £14'000 2nd Year: £17'000 3rd Year: £21'000 4th Year: £25'000 In addition all apprentices receive a company wide bonus every year, which is dependant on the return on sales of the company that year.

All apprentices have lots of opportunity's to attend school career events, skills fairs, air shows, trips to parliament etc as ambassadors for STEM and the company.

Yes

It offers a good, well structured apprenticeship which allows you to learn multiple job roles, provides a good salary with an incentivising yearly bonus, and education up to HND level.

Make sure to get across any interest you may have in any relevant technology related field.